To prepare for the Big Ten Championships the Big Ten will feature two Big Five Meets.  The top three teams from each meet will qualify for the evening session at Big Tens.  The two lowest placing teams from each meet will compete in the afternoon session at Big Tens.  Look for teams to push hard at these Big Five Meets to be able to be in all important evening session. 

 

Big Five Meet #1 – Host, University of Minnesota- 4pm CT


Image Via- Gregory Long

No. 6 Michigan will look for a better finish this season to qualify to the evening session.  Although they proved last year that they can win from the afternoon session, they want to be in the evening session as the host team.  Look for Michigan to continue to build and show success with consistency and confidence.  Michigan will be led by their trio of all-arounders in Nicole Artz, Sachi Sugiyama and Brianna Brown.  The Wolverines are currently No. 1 in the Big Ten. 

 

No. 12 Penn State has shown that they are a strong contender in the Big Ten this year.  The Nittany Lions will be prepared for this tough test.  Freshman Briannah Tsang has been impressive this season and will be one to watch.  Tsang is a consistent all-arounder that will provide key scores for the Nittany Lions.

No. 20 Minnesota has goals to make the evening session as well.  The Gophers will use momentum and home support to their advantage.  Look for Minnesota to compete tough and challenge for the win.  The Gophers will be led by the No. 2 all-arounder in the country Lindsay Mable.  Minnesota has had a bit of an up and down season, but will look to peak at the right time.

 

No. 25 Iowa will look to continue their strong season and momentum.  The Hawkeyes are having one of their best seasons in history and are looking for a strong finish.  They have a season high 196.375 and a 6-6 record.  The Hawkeyes have shown strength all season on bars and beam and will to prove that again to land a spot in the evening session.  Watch for Iowa to take advantage if any other team makes a mistake. 

 

No. 41 Rutgers will experience the full Big Ten atmosphere this weekend at the Big Five meet.  The Scarlet Knights will need their best performance of the season to challenge for an evening session spot.  Rutgers has a season high 195.375 and is ranked No. 10 within the conference.  The Scarlet Knights have shown growth this season and have been up to the test within this tough conference. 

 

Big Five Meet #2- Host, Nebraska- 12pm

 

Image Via- Nebraska Twitter
 

No. 9 Nebraska will look to capitalize on their home floor to qualify into the evening session.  The Cornhuskers are currently ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten and have shown great strength all season.  Nebraska is a very consistent team that has no weak event.  They have shown all season they are a strong vaulting team who knows how to stick!  Look for the Cornhuskers to go big for the win and guarantee a spot in the evening session.  Seniors Jessie DeZiel and Desire Stephens will be key competitors for this team. 

 

No. 13 Illinois has had an extremely successful season with a 10-3 record.  The Illini are currently ranked No. 4 in the Big Ten with a season high 196.975.  The Illini will look to capitalize on their strongest events bars and beam this weekend.  This team will need to improve on floor as they look to win this competition and qualify to evening session.  The Illini are led by Giana O’Connor and Mary Jane Horth.  Watch for Illinois to impress this weekend. 

 

No. 25 Michigan State is having a good season and will be fighting hard for an evening session spot.  The Spartans have shown great fight and growth this year.  The Spartans have a season high of 196.325, ranked No. 6 in the Big Ten.  Michigan State has a strong floor team and will look to use that momentum to finish in the top three this weekend.  Michigan State is led by all-arounder Lisa Burt, who has season high 39.475. 

No. 29 Maryland will experience the full Big Ten atmosphere this weekend at the Big Five meet.  The Terps will need a big showing to qualify into the evening session.  Maryland will get a great draw to start on a bye, but will have to finish on the tough balance beam.  The Terps are a strong vaulting team and will look for a big score on that event to push them into the top three.  Look for Big Ten newcomers to go big this weekend. 
 

No. 30 Ohio State will need a strong performance this weekend to compete for an evening session spot.  The Buckeyes do not have one standout event or weak event, so they will look to consistency for success.  Look for Buckeyes to step in if the door opens to finish in the top three.  Ohio State has a tough draw to finish on a bye and wait for their fate. 

 

 

Rotation Draw (Based on rankings) 

2 – Vault – Illinois 

1 – Bars – Nebraska 

3 – Beam – Michigan State 

4 – Bye – Maryland

5 – Floor – Ohio State